Adult Social Care Practice Development Lead

Job description

Job responsibilities

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.

An exciting role has arisen in the Adult Social Care directorate of Bath and North East Somerset Council. We are seeking to recruit a dynamic, experienced, skilled, and innovative Practice Development Lead to work within Adult Social Care, leading on the learning and development of our workforce. This presents an excellent opportunity for the right individual to play a key role in facilitating best practice across our front-line operational teams.

We are committed to providing a positive learning and working environment, where people feel safe and supported to develop their practice. In order to foster a learning environment, you will work closely with internal and external partners, including team managers, practitioners, the Senior Leadership Team, training providers and academics.

This role will be critical in supporting the workforce maintain and/or develop the required social work skills and knowledge to enable the best possible outcomes for those people who use our services.

What will you be doing?

You will be supporting the Principal Adult Social Worker in leading and managing the Learning and Development within B&NES adult social care. Your key responsibilities will be:

• To identify the learning needs of the workforce in order to support the delivery of high-quality training which meets the identified need.
• To lead our practice weeks and bespoke training events and offer including our contract with RiPFA.
• To coordinate, alongside the Principal Social Worker, the Degree Apprenticeship in Social Work (DASW) and Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme.
• To coordinate post qualifying social work programmes such as the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) and Best Interest Assessor (BIA).

About you:

The ideal candidate will:

• Be forward thinking, innovative and self-driven
• Have strong organisational and inter personal skills
• Be an excellent communicator, in terms of clear and effective verbal and written communication. This includes active listening and providing constructive feedback
• Be experienced in management
• Be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills and experience of an Advanced Social Worker, in accordance with the Professional Capabilities Framework
• Be an expert in Social Work Practice, demonstrating a thorough understanding of social work principles, values, and legislation
• Be committed to continuous professional development, committed to your own, and others, ongoing learning and development by remaining updated with the latest research, policies, and best practices in social work
• Be a qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England and have PEPS 2 (or equivalent)

Applicants for those wishing to work part-time will be considered.

If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Timothy Shearn, Principal Social Worker on 01225 477064 or email timothy_shearn@bathnes.gov.uk

Interview date: Wednesday 10th September 2025.

No agencies please.

*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.

Why Bath & North East Somerset Council?

We offer a wide range of benefits, to ensure that you are paid fairly for your work, have the flexibility to enjoy a great work/life balance, and have the support you need. Go to https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-benefits

At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve peoples live. Find out more about our values at https://jobsandcareers.bathnes.gov.uk/why-work-us/our-values

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. Find out more on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer – find out more at https://shorturl.at/ajrsW

The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Safeguarding Statement: The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment anyone working in a post with children or vulnerable groups will be expected to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with/without barred list checks.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• See Role Specific Criteria.

Desirable

• See Role Specific Criteria.

Experience

Essential

• See Role Specific Criteria.

Desirable

• See Role Specific Criteria.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Bath & North East Somerset Council

Address

Civic Centre, Keynsham

Keynsham

Bath and North East Somerset

BS31 1FS

Employer's website

https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)